DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 1 ( a ), a single stage endosseous dental implant 1 made according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a root-formed externally threaded base 2 and a tapered interlocking coronal prosthetic attachment post 3 . Incorporated at the apex of the root-formed externally threaded base is a self-tapping thread 4 which will pull the implant downwardly during its initial placement. To assist in this process and to lock the implant into place, thread 4 utilizes specially designed cutting flutes 5 to cut, form and lock the implant into place. At the foot 6 of the tapered interlocking coronal prosthetic attachment post 3 is an anti-rotational polygonal surface 7 to lock the prosthetic attachment to root-formed implant 1 , once it is attached. To assure that the prosthesis remains attached to root-formed implant 1 , the male tapered post 3 uses a defined self-locking taper angle 8 , shown extending from demarcation line 6 , that friction locks with a female mate having a complimentary self-locking taper. Once the prosthesis is permanently attached to the tapered post, the now single unit implant and prosthesis is secured and cannot be rotated or removed.

[0014] An esthetic coronal profile head 9 is disposed between root-formed externally threaded base 2 and tapered interlocking coronal prosthetic attachment post 3 . A unique scalloped out profile 10 , 11 is formed in head 9 to replicate the buccal and lingual areas of a natural tooth. These scalloped out areas comprise generally smoothly curved recesses in an annular margin of a selected thickness machined within a one to two millimeter distance 12 to the beginning of the implant's first thread 13 . This one to two millimeter separation 12 allows for the clinically accepted bone resorption between the implant and prosthesis connection to end at the first thread 13 of the implant. Ninety degrees to [these] scalloped out profiles 10 , 11 are enhanced profile areas for the inter-proximal zones 14 , 15 , which are also designed to replicate the bone in between natural dentition. These areas preferably are further textured at 16 , by forming micro indentations or the like on the order of 30-50 microns, as by blasting with appropriate particulate material known in the art, to enhance bone attachment to the implant in these areas. Even with the standard one to two millimeter bone resorption in these areas 14 , 15 , the additional textured surface 16 assures preservation and control of the inter-dental bone and papilla for the desired esthetics. The scalloped out recesses replicate the inter-dental geometry of a natural tooth and assist in the maintenance of the alveolar housing and gingival soft tissue.

[0015] FIGS. 2 and 2 ( a ) show the endosseous dental implant 17 made in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention for use with a two stage surgical process. Implant 17 comprises a root-formed externally threaded base 18 with an internally tapered, interlocking prosthetic attachment plug receiving bore 19 . As described with reference to FIG. 1 , the apex of the root-formed externally threaded base 18 is a self-tapping thread 4 which pulls the implant downward during its initial placement. To assist in insertion and to lock the implant in place, threaded base 18 utilizes specially designed cutting flutes 5 to cut, form and lock the implant into place. An anti-rotational polygonal surface 23 is positioned at the apex 22 of the tapered prosthetic attachment plug receiving bore 19 of the implant to lock the prosthetic attachment to implant 17 once it is attached. To assure that the prosthesis remains attached to the root-formed implant the female tapered plug receiving bore 19 uses a defined self-locking taper angle 24 that friction locks with the plug of a male prosthetic mate such as post 42 of FIG. 6 ( a ) having a complimentary self-locking taper, to be discussed. Once the prosthesis is permanently attached in the tapered plug receiving bore 19 the now formed single unit implant and prosthesis is secured and cannot be rotated or removed without the assistance of a specially designed removal tool to be discussed.

[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively, show the single and two stage esthetic implant embodiments 25 , 26 modified to include only a single scalloped cut-out 10 formed on the buccal faces of the implants. In these embodiments, the lingual profile 29 are at the same height or level as the inter-proximal sides of the implants. Also lingual side surface texturing 31 extends above the threads to assist in tissue attachment on this side. Since the lingual side 29 has no esthetic concerns keeping the material in this area of the implant improves structural characteristics of the implant and simplifies the laboratory restorative challenges. In all the implant designs, 1 , 17 , 25 , 26 , alignment of the anti-rotational polygon prosthetic attachment 7 , 23 with the scalloped out profile 10 on the buccal side of the implant 1 , 25 , 26 assist for correct placement of the implant in its desired rotational location.

[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 show how the restorative attachments are made for either the single or the two-stage esthetic implant embodiments. The restorative prosthetic attachment 35 , shown in FIG. 5 ( a ) with an exemplary outer surface configuration having a generally tapered, grooved cylinder formed with a flat 35 a, is used with the single stage implant embodiment. Prosthetic attachment 35 includes a female polygonal surface 36 and self-locking tapered plug receiving bore 37 that engages the male polygonal surface 7 and friction locks on the male plug or post 3 [ 9 ] of the implant. The restorative prosthetic attachment 40 , with an exemplary outer surface configuration including flat 40 a, is used with the two stage implant embodiment. Prosthetic attachment 40 comprises a male polygonal portion 41 and tapered plug or post 42 that engages the female polygonal surface 23 and friction locks on the female post receiving bore 19 of the implant. In both cases once the prosthetic attachment is locked onto the implant, the restoration becomes one unit and cannot be rotated. However, in the FIG. 6 embodiment, prosthetic attachment 40 is provided with internal threads 40 b which allow for the use of a specially designed jack screw removal tool to apply sufficient force for removal, if desired.

[0018] Although the invention has been described with regard to specific preferred embodiments thereof, many variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, the intent that the appended claims be interpreted as broadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all such variations and modifications.